A BUILDING worker from Cheshire, crippled in a roof fall, has been awarded £300,000 compensation.

Ray Ashley, from Warrington, smashed both heels after falling 30ft from the roof of a house while at work.

Now, after a four-year battle to gain compensation for his injuries, he has successfully sued the building contractor, FF & S Whites Ltd.

Mr Ashley, 36, said last night: 'I am pleased with the pay-out but the money does not matter to me, I am just glad justice has finally been done.

'This has been a very traumatic time for me and my family and I am relieved to be finally putting all the legal side of things behind me.

'My life has been totally ruined by what happened. I will never be able to work again unless I retrain and get a desk job and I am receiving counselling for depression.'

After the accident, Mr Ashley spent three weeks in hospital and has been left with two metal plates, pins and screws permanently in his feet.

He was confined to a wheelchair for three months and can only walk with the aid of a stick.

But he gave up hope of winning compensation after the first firm of solicitors he approached soon after the accident, told him he had no case.

It was only when he read about a similar case to his that had been successfully concluded more than two years after his accident, that he began legal proceedings against FF & S Whites, which is based in Newton-le-Willows.

The firm was sued for negligence and breach of statutory duty and the judge ordered Mr Ashley should receive compensation for his suffering, injuries and loss of earnings.

Mr Ashley, who has a nine-year-old daughter, Gemma, said: 'I came extremely close to giving up, but I'm glad I didn't because it means I can start to rebuild my life.

'But I would give all the money back tomorrow if it meant I could have my feet back and live a normal life again.

'While I was in hospital the doctors told me I could only ever hope to get 50pc of my walking mobility back, and I've not even got that.

'I would love to run around the park with my daughter but I can't walk more than a few yards, let alone run. Before the accident I loved to play football but I can't play sport any more.

'I am in constant pain and I still have nights where I can't sleep because it is too much. And I have to sit in the shower because I can't stand.

'My life will never be the same as it was before the accident.'

His solicitor, Manchester-based personal injury specialist Adrienne de Vos, said: 'I found the idea of Ray not receiving any compensation at all completely unacceptable. We battled on, and I am very pleased for Ray with the result of the case.'